New generation of L.A.-area Latino leaders aren’t as friendly toward ‘amigo stores’

‘Call it ‘immigrant’ store fatigue. It’s happening in cities that are overwhelmingly Latino, with Latino political leaders and with large immigrant communities. ‘For decades, these cities attracted working-class and immigrant-centric retailers: check-cashing businesses, Latino supermarkets, discount gift stores, bridal shops and Mexican western wear stores. Some are independent, and some are chains such as La Curacao, an appliance and electronics retailer that offers credit accounts to immigrants who lack the documentation for conventional credit cards.’ ‘Until relatively recently, cities like Baldwin Park, South Gate and Santa Ana had few options beyond ‘Latino’ retailers. But this year, Baldwin Park -- a city of 70,000 in the San Gabriel Valley -- enacted a moratorium on new payday loan and check cashing stores. The city is now partners with Bisno Development Co. on an ‘urban village’ of mixed-income housing, theaters and mainstream restaurants such as Claim Jumper, Applebee’s and Chili’s.’